Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-08
~ II .nD rpt~oS IN FhonIDA.
The Great Inventors Health Re-
stored and lie is Hard at Work.
FRAN. the Ne,o York World.

6sOGGu anu 10 AEuh "a "N w ~ AA'
Pyopt the Ne'o FORK World.
FORT MYERS, FLA, March 2S.-Leavins
Punta Gorda, a town of six months
growth, and the present terminus OF tee
Florida Southern railroad, the tourist IL
searcn of the most southern town il
Florida is obliged to put up with the lin
tied accommodation OF small steamer
more properly called a ''launch," but thu
bsau1ies of Charlotte HarbOr, stretch O.
water many miles long anu several miles
wide, amply repay for the. discomfort. On
all sides miniature islands attract atten'
ton, and it is no wonder that Thomas
Edison, the famous electrician, was sc
pnraptured that he at once made up his
mind to settle in what fashionable people
would call ''the oblivion of still life"
After iourneying a distance Of seventy
miles along the most picturesque scenery
of Florida, the Caloosahatchie is reached,
and after further stretch of seventeen
miles up this river from Punta Rassa
his beautiful little town is reached.
Within one mile of Fort Myers, 'front.'
ing on the river whose Indian name In
the Seminole language signifies "beautl-
full waters" group OF two houses closely
connected and several adjoining build
lngs attract the attention and bespeak
comfort in It's broadcast sense. These are
the homes of Thomas A. Edison, Mr..
Gilliland, his business partner, and their
laboratory and outbuildIngs.
AS the little steamer glldes a few rods
by, Fort Myers proper comes In full sight,
and pretty sight it is. Unlike the usual
Florida towns, which are mainly com.
posed OF roughly built shanties, ugly IN
their virgin innocence of paint, Fort
Myers cannot but establish striking
PrfO noinfa1 an6 % iy
built houses, surrounded by orange,
lemon and other trees OF like family,
glitter in the 50 deg. of sunlight, and
form picture not easily forgotten. Here
and there aloug the river banks Majestic
c0coanut trees rear up their heads
proudly, giving the place the appearance
of a West India settlement.
Much has been said lately of the physi.
cal infirmities OF the famous electrician
who has made his winter home here. and
from the widely circulated reports your
correspondent had expected to meet a
man dying slowly but surely in the ago
MES of consumption, but an interview
with Mr. Edison effectually cOntradicted
the report in every respect.
On entering the gate which leads alike
10 home and factory, your correspondent
made his way up TO the laboratory, as
being the most likely spot in which to find
the enthusiast on electricity. The first
gentleman met was MIR. Gililand, who
was experimenting the final touches that
were being put to the electric plant now
In working order and supplying the town
with the incandescencles of electricity.
After Introducing himself to the gentle
man, your correspondent proceeded to
take in the sight of we'll organized
laboratory, situated in little frontier
town miles and miles away from what is
known as settled country.
The building is divided into three parts
the boiler-roOm, the laboratory proper.
which occupies one side of the room and
whose countless bottles we'll indicate its
use. On the other side are the machinery
and dynamos for the production of cleo
trlcity; the third division is the sanctum
and sanctorum OF the most wonderful
electrician of the times. We entered this
last room only to find Mr.. Edison's chair
vacant, with electrical, mechanical aud
Photographic apparatus lying around in
confusion over desk and workbench alike.
To improve the shining hour and in the
absence of Mr.. Edison. questions about
everything connected with Mr.. Edison
were rained upon his business partner.
II suppose YOU have heard of the many
reports circulated about Mr.. Edison W
Queried the Worlds correspondent.
about his being physical wreck, incapa-
bic OF movement and scarcely of con-
slstent thought, | have, and IL has been a
great source OF merrIment to us.
Then Mr.. Edison Is not as sick as rep
-esentedY'
by no means, that is to say, not now,
tie certainly was a sick man at one time,
as being treated for cold in the muscles
81 the chest and slight affection OF the
bronchial tubes, the trouble somehow
reached the heart, and 1t was found neces-
sary several times to administer hypoder-
mic Injections OF morphine"
"Of course he is over the whole trou BILE
now?'
why, he scarcely reached this place,
with its inyigOrating air and tropical
sunlight, when he at once rallied, and he
Is now as hearty and well as ever, and as
10 his mind, well--his next surprise
packet OF Invention will prove that more
than words"
but, Mr.. Gilliland, how is it that re-
ports should have been circulated, giving
such untTuthful statements about Mr..
Edison! VI what use are they" querIed
your correspondent IN tone OF virtuous
Indignation,
My dear sir, don't you know that Mr..
EuisOn Is an inventor, q most prolific in
uIcl'y, ana that there are others VINO are
UHoWlhg the same road? At every turn
u discovery they are confronted with an
Eulson patent and are compelled to re.
race thelr steps. IL Edison becomes in
yapacltated, or is supposed to be 50, the
mteIest centred on him as an electrician
dlls on their shoulders and they reap the
yTehents; but ] may be saying too much.
uere comes Edison himself, so will run
OIL TO my work"
smooth-faced man, apparently 40
ears OF age, was walking through the
e11or' deep in thought. His face was
ssngntly sunburnt, ana he was dressed in
a"lk cIothes, white flannel shirt, rendus-
49, as the french would say, by a launtv
W. "A Wlde-Orlmmed stra W hat crowned
iTe "hole and completed the costume.
was Edlson, and he was making his
way lnto the laboratory. With the pro.
w.. oial tlmldlty OF the newspaper man.
c WI correspondent glided toward hin,
"ith cOnciliatory bow and a .sGood
SS'.ernoon, Mr.. Edison" To his astonish-
s% euI ne received no answer, no acknowl-
NY Your correspondent revolved
,,nn rapldlty in his mind a little side
pay putting himself en- scene as a poor
,a"spaper man whose journalistic repu-
AUD depended upon the successful in
W. sle", ana hguring Edison as a martyr
uIS pIty ana commiseratiOn and Open-
H. Tue noodgates OF his memory. but the
Tue scene went up in smoke. crushed i'm
nn qua by Mr.. Gilllland, who had wit
esseu all, and apologized Tor Mr.. Edison.
e1IhS tnhI the gentleman WAS very deaf